Portable spray pump



'Augn 18, 1953 F. w. FUNKE 2,649,335

PORTABLE SPRAY PUMP Filed Feb. 14, 195o Patented Aug. 18, 1953 2,649,335 PORTABLE SPRAY PUMP f Fred W. Funke, Oakland, Calif.

Application February 14, 1950, Serial No. 144,118

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a portable spray pump, such, for example, as is used with a back pack spray outfit in forestry, orchard, :agricultural and other operations Where water, insecticides, herbicides, Weed and plant killers, and other material is projected or sprayed.

Heretofore the standard spray pump for operations above mentioned has been the so called Armstrong pump or the Armstrong type pump that was developed about seventy years ago. Practically all makers have employed the same design, the parts from the pump of one maker being interchangeable with the parts in the pump of another maker.

The basic Armstrong design is a strictly displacement plunger type pump in which a cylindrical plunger is reciprocable in an outer cylinder that is sealed at one end where the plunger enters the cylinder and the liquid inlet is at the opposite end of the cylinder. A hand grip concentric with the plunger is on the end of the plunger that projects from the end of the cylinder that is opposite the inlet and a discharge nozzle is on the handle at its outer end. 'Ihe end of the plunger that is nearest the outlet is not in sealing engagement with the cylinder. Such a pump is externally shown in U. S. Patent 2,343,400 of March 7, 1944, issued to G. E. Bullock and is shown in many patents relating to back pack units or knapsack fire extinguishers and sprayers.

In using the Armstrong type pump, the outer cylinder is held in one hand and the hand grip on the plunger is held in the other hand. Relative reciprocable movement of the plunger and cylinder is readily accomplished, the entire pump being supported by the hands that effect said movement.

Pumps of the above displacement type have serious disadvantages, among which are:

(l) The pump must be oversize because of the lar-ge amount of liquid remaining in the pump after a complete discharge stroke. The standard Armstrong type pump will discharge about ve (5) cubic inches of liquid at each stroke from a total of about eighteen (18) cubic inches of liquid in the pump. Thus the operator is forced to support substantially thirteen (13) cubic inches of Water, during operation of the pump, that is useless, and the pump must be large enough to hold substantially eighteen (18) cubic inches of Water to obtain the live (5) cubic inches of discharge inches of discharge at each stroke.

(2) In the Armstrong type pump air is trapped in the cylinder between the plunger and the former adjacent the end of the cylinder from which the plunger projects. 'Ihis objectionable feature is inherently a result of the design.

The air that is trapped in the cylinder is compressed with each discharge stroke of the plunger an amount equal to the pressure applied by the plunger. At the end of the discharge stroke this air continues to apply pressure on the liquid as it expands, and with progressively decreasing force resulting in an excessively wasteful dripoif between the nozzle and the objective being sprayed. Practically all of the liquid forced out by the expanding air pressure is Wasted, and is a substantial amount. This waste is highly inefficient Where Water is the liquid and is also eX- pensive where other materials are used, some chemicals being quite expensive.

(3) In addition to the wasteful dripoi in the Armstrong type Dump, there is considerable loss in eiiiciency because of the unequal pressure applied to the liquid due to the entrapped air. These variations in pressure result in corresponding variations in the velocity of the projected liquid, thereby making even reasonably accurate control practically impossible. Such lack of control results in further Wastage of liquid.

(4) The average Armstrong type Dump is twenty-eight inches long and one and one eighth inches in diameter. This length is too great for comfortable use of the pump due to the unnatural spread required of the arms for operating the pump. This spread is such as to place ya demand on the operator for the application of maximum force When the arms are in the least desirable position for such application, the result being that the operator will become quickly fatigued.

(5) The provision of a packing gland required by the Armstrong type displacement pump has two objectionable results. The frictional resistance sety up when the gland is tight enough to prevent leakage is considerable and obviouslly the eiort used in merely overcoming frictional resistance is Wasted and when it is as great as in the Armstrong type pump, it is noticeably tiring on the operator. If the gland should become loose, resulting in air leakage, the admission of air on the suction stroke renders the pump inoperative.

(6) There is no provision in the Armstrong type of pump for retaining a lubricant on the plunger, hence the plunger quickly becomes dry and the already high frietiona1 resistance to its operation is increased.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of Yan improved portable spray pump for use wherever the Armstrong type pumps are adapted to be used, and which improved pump is adapted to overcome or eliminate the above objections to the present pump of the standard Armstrong type.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a portable spray pump that is lighter in weight than heretofore, and that is adapted for use by men, women and children for fire control, orchard and garden spraying, etc.,

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a portable spray pump in which the overall length, when at the end of the pressure stroke, is substantially less than heretofore and by an amount not less than the length of the handgrip.

Another object is the provision of a portable spray pump from which any residual moisture is readily eliminated by reason of structure that enables the pump to pump air.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the specification and drawings, such as greater simplicity, positive piston action, and the provision for quick coupling of the same with the suction'hose and spray nozzle.

`In the drawings, Fig. l is a side elevational view of the pump fully collapsed, and without a spray nozzle, Kand disconnected from a suction hose.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the pump, including a portion of the suction hose and the spray nozzle, the pump being partially expanded, instead of fully collapsed.

In detail, the pump illustrated comprises an outer cylinder or tubular body I having an inlet angle 'fitting 2 secured to one end thereof, which iitting is provided with a nipple 3 that is formed with an external annular groove 4 for removably securing a suction hose 5 thereto. A ball 6 in said tting is adapted to close the bore 'I of the inlet tting on the pressure stroke of the pump, thus providing an inlet check valve in said tting. The suction hose 5 may be provided with a quick detachable coupling 8 that includes several radially inwardly projecting -balls 9 that are urged inwardly into groove 4 by an external contracting spring 35 of the coil or ring type, the design being such that the coupling may be quickly disconnected from the nipple 3 upon application of a predetermined pull on the tting.

Telescopically and reciprocably movable into the end of the cylinder I opposite tting 2 is an inner tubular body Ill that is also cylindrical.

As an example, the difference between the diameters of the inner and outer tubular bodies i, I6, may be, approximately ve sixteenths of an inch where the diameter of the outer body is substantially seven eighths 0f an inch, hence the bore of the inner tubular body is relatively large presenting no noticeable frictional resistance to the liquid when the pump is in use inasv much as the discharge aperture for a pump having inner and outer tubular -bodies of the above diameters will usually be about ve sixteenths of an inch or less.

The inner end of the inner tubular body or cylinder II) carries a check valve that is in the form of a body II having a central bore 36 that tapers convergently in direction axially away from the cylinder IB. A ball I2 is in said bore, and is urged adjacent the convergent end by a spring I3 that reacts between ball I2 and a stop pin I4, Vthe latter also extending at its ends.

through opposite sides of the end portion of cylinder Il) thereby securing the cylinder I@ and body il.

The body i I has an enlarged end portion that projects from the cylinder lil, and this end portion is formed with an annular, outwardly opening groove I5 in which is fitted an O-ring piston seal IS of composition material, which m-ay be rubber, or the plastic material bearing the trade name Neoprene or any other suitable material. The external cylindrical surface of the projecting end of body II is substantially a sliding fit in the cylinder I, hence the piston seal IS positively prevents any leakage past the seal and the body II with its seal provides a positive piston action when the cylinder Ill is reciprocated, the liquid being drawn into the space between body II and tting 2 when the cylinder I@ is moved away from said tting and said liquid being ejected through the body II when the cylinder is moved toward said fitting.

The other or outer end of cylinder I into which the cylinder Iii extends is provided with a cylinder cap and plunger guide I'I that may be externally screwed onto cylinder I. rIhis cap has a fairly wide radially inwardly projecting flange I8 that may substantially slidably engage the outer sides of the inner cylinder lil, and said flange is formed with a radially inwardly opening groove I9 in which is carried a felt wiper ring 26 carrying a lubricant, which ring is in sliding engagement with the exterior of the inner 'body or cylinder I.

The outer end of the inner cylinder Ill carries a nipple 2l that may be threaded at one end into said outer end, and which nipple has a through discharge passageway 22 provided with a discharge aperture 23 at its outer end for projecting a straight stream of liquid. The end of the nipple 2l opposite its threaded end is formed with a radially outwardly opening groove 25 the same as groove l in nipple 3, and which groove is adapted to receive balls 26 carried by a spray nozzle 2l, and which balls are yieldably held in groove 25 by an annular contracting spring 28. Upon application of a predetermined pull on the nozzle 2 it will readily be released from the nipple, thus permitting a quick change from a spray to a straight stream or vice versa.

Secured to the outer end of the inner cylinder I0 by welding, brazing or in any other suitable manner is a tubular hand grip 29.

Hand grip 29 is coaxial with the cylinder I0, and has an inwardly projecting relatively wide flange 3B at one end that receives and isA secured to the outer end of said cylinder I0 as above mentioned. This flange also spaces the hand grip from the end portion of cylinder lll, which it encloses, and this space between the hand grip and the said end portion of cylinder Il) is sufficient to enable the end of the outer cylinder I to slide into the hand grip substantially to the ilange 36, although a stop ring 3l may be secured in a groove in said inner cylinder adjacent flange 3B if desired.

A washerror gasket 32 may be tightly secured between flange 3Q and a radially outwardly flange 33 on nipple 2l, if desired, and also the inner end of the hand grip 29- that is remote from the flange 30 maybe slightly flared outwardly as seen in the drawings.

Preferably, the hand grip 29 is made of eX- panded metal, thereby providing a roughened surface for grasping by the hand, and also ventilation. The expanded metal is of the conven- 5 tional type used in lbuilding construction as metal lath for supporting plaster. Obviously other material could be used, but the above is preferable.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the design of hand grip 29 materially reduces the overall length of the pump without sacricing its capacity. Heretoiore, in spray pumps intended for the same purpose, the hand grip is wholly disposed beyond the outer cylinder of the pump.

It is also seen that by the present design, the piston fitting il on the inner end cf the inner cylinder l will almost engage the fitting 2 when the cylinder lll is fully enclosed within the outer cylinder I, with the result that the residual capacity of the pump is reduced 'to vthe practicable minimum, which is less than three cubic inches for the standard sized pump.

Inasmuch as the present pump is equipped with a positive piston, the same .may be cleared of all Water or liquid by a few strokes, which will pump air through the same. Thus the cylinder and plunger or piston will be cleared of residual moisture that might otherwise cause freezing troubles or corrosion or both, as heretofore has been the case, unless the pump were disassembled and cleaned out, which the user seldom does.

The conventional Armstrong type displacement pump has eight more parts than in the present instance, and requires a packing gland and has no means for lubricating the same. In the present instance, no packing gland is required. The small surface of the O-ring. i6 is the only frictional resistance between the inner and outer cylinder. The lubricator ring 2E) provides adequate lubrication for several months of incidental service.

In addition to the present type of pump having less parts than prior pumps for the same purpose, it is substantially ten inches shorter and sixteen ounces lighter in weight for the same capacity. The conventional standard back pack pump weighs thirty nine ounces, or about two and one half pounds, whereas the pump of the present design, for the same capacity, weighs only one and one half pounds, which is a very important saving where used away from the roads on lires or where used by women or children operators as a fire pump on ranches or for garden spray service.

The twenty-eight and one half inch length of the conventional pump, when collapsed, requires spreading the arms, during operation, to a degree where the operation is extremely tiring and awkward, whereas with the present pump, and for the same capacity as the conventional pump, the length is only eighteen and one half inches. The result is that the operator is enabled to operate the pump in a position (anatomically) that is least tiring, and most eiiicientl As has already been seen, the present design makes control of the stream Very accurate, there being constant pressure on each ejection stroke from end to end according to the force applied by the operator. There is positive piston action on the liquid, all of which liquid reaches the objective since there is no wasteful dripoiT or loss between the nozzle and the objective. The suction and ejection. strokes are equally eicient.

The tting 2, which may be called a tail piece, is designed to provide a simple pistol grip design. The nipple 3 extends at a slight incline relative to a line perpendicular to the outer cyli-nder I, so that the operator may grasp the air hose 5 at the coupling, thus giving accurate control. The shorter length 'of the ,pump enables this to be done, although the cuter ycylinder I may be grasped, if desired. It is obvious that by holding the hand grip steady in the left hand A(for a right handed person) and reciprocating the outer cylinder by grasping the hose 5 and the coupling at the nipple `3, a Very accurate control may be had. The same is true of the reverse operation of reciprocating the inner cylinder, and holding the outer one steady or a combination of mutual reciprocation of both cylinders.

It is pertinent to note that the hose coupling permits rotation of the pump relative to the hose without loosening the connection between the hose vand the pump, which is a highly desirable feature inasmuch as the 'direction of the pump can quickly be changed without binding or causing the hose to bend.

I claim.:

1. A portable spray 'pump of the character described comprising; an outer elongated tubular body and an inner elongated tubular body, an inlet at one end of said outer body and a 'check Valve for preventing egress of iuid from said outer body, said inner body being reciproca-bly slidable into said outer body through the opposite end of said outer body, a check valve carried by said inner body at the end adjacent said inlet and opening into said inner body upon movement of said inner body toward said inlet, an annular sealing ring between the end of said inner body adjacent said inlet and the inner surface of said outer body, and a discharge nozzle on the end of said inner body remote from said inlet and sealing ring, a non-tight lubricating wiper ring between said opposite end of said outer body and said inner body.

2. A portable spray pump of the character described comprising; an outer elongated tubular body and an inner elongated tubular body, an inlet at one end of said outer body and a check valve for preventing egress of fluid from said outer body, said inner body being reciprocably slidable into said outer body through the opposite end of said outer body, a check valve carried by said inner body at the end adjacent said inlet and opening into said inner body upon movement of said inner body toward said inlet, an annular sealing ring between the end of said inner body adjacent said inlet and the inner surface of said outer body, and a discharge nozzle on the end of said inner body remote from said inlet and sealing ring, a tubular hand grip on said inner body at the end thereof opposite said check valve adapted to telescopically receive said other end of said outer body therein upon movement of said inner body to its fully collapsed position within said outer body.

3. A portable spray pump of the character described comprising; an outer elongated tubular body and an inner elongated tubular body, an inlet at one end of said outer body and a check Valve for preventing egress oi iluid from said outer body, said inner body being reciprocably and telescopically movable within said outer body for substantially its full length through the opposite end of said outer body, a check Valve on the inner end of said inner body that is nearest said inlet and opening into said inner body upon movement of said inner body toward said inlet, an annular sealing ring between said inner body and said outer body, an elongated tubular hand grip on said inner body enclosing the end portion of said outer body that is remote from said inlet upon movement of said inner body to a position substantially fully enclosed within said outer body, and a discharge nozzle on the end of said inner body opposite said check valve.

4. A portable spray pump of the character described comprising; an outer elongated tubular body and an inner elongated tubular body, an in"- let at one end of said outer body and a check valve for preventing egress of fluid from said outer body, said inner body being reciprocably and telescopically movable within said outer body for substantially its full length through the opposite end of said outer body, a check Valve on the inner end of said inner body that is nearest Said inlet opening into said inner body upon movement of said inner body toward said inlet, an annular sealing ring between said inner body and said outer body, an elongated tubular hand grip formed from eX- panded metal secured at one end to the end of said inner body remote from said check Valve and adapted to enclose the end portion of said outer body that is remote from said inlet upon movement of said inner body to its position-substantially fully enclosed within said outer body, and means on said inner body for removably securing a discharge nozzle to the outer end thereof that is opposite said inlet, a discharge nozzle so secured on said outer end of said inner body.

5. A portable pump of the character described comprising; an outer elongated tubular body and an inner elongated tubular body, a tting secured to one end of said outer body provided with an inlet and a check valve opening into said outer body and closing said inlet against egress of fluid therethrough from said outer body, said inner body being reciprocably and telescopically movable within said outer Ibody for substantially its full length through the end of said outer body opposite said fitting, an inlet and a check Valve therein on the end of said inner body that is nearest said fitting opening into said inner body upon movement of said inner body toward said fitting, an annular sealing ring between said outer body and around the end of said inner body adjacent said last mentioned inlet, an eXteriorly roughened, tubular hand grip spaced around the end of said inner body that is opposite its inlet end for movement to a position over the end of Cil said outer body opposite said fitting when said inner body is substantially fully enclosed within said outer body, means securing said tubular hand grip at one end thereof to the end of said inner body that is opposite its inlet end, a lubricating wiping ring carried by said outer body at the end thereof opposite Said fitting in slidable engagement with said inner body, and a fitting on said inner body at the end opposite its said inlet end provided with a discharge aperture.

6. A portable spray pump of the character described comprising; an outer elongated tubular cylinder and an inner elongated tubular cylinder, an inlet fitting including a check valve at one end of said outer body provided with an angularly extending portion relative to said outer cylinder for securement of a hose thereto in a position to aord a pistol grip for a hand of th-e operator, said inner cylinder being reciprocably slidable into said outer body through the end of said outer body opposite said inlet fitting, a check valve carried by said inner cylinder opening into the latter upon movement of said inner cylinder toward said inlet tting, a sealing ring between the said inner cylinder and said outer cylinder, a discharge nozzle on the end of said inner cylinder that is remote from said inlet fitting, a hand grip on said inner cylinder adjacent said nozzle adapted to extend from said nozzle and over the end portion of the outer cylinder that is opposite said inlet fitting when said inner cylinder is substantially fully enclosed within said outer cylinder.

FRED W. FUNKE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

